The Catholic Standard and Times

St. Charles Seminary
mourns Pope’s death

Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer

After the Vatican announced the death of Pope John Paul II on Saturday, April 2, the bells pealed at the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, and the U.S. and Papal flags were lowered to half-staff, where they will remain for the Church’s nine days of mourning.

“Although we are saddened at the death of the Holy Father, we rejoice in the salvation won for us through Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection,” said Father Joseph G. Prior, Seminary rector.

He said Pope John Paul II played a pivotal role in priestly vocations throughout his 26-year pontificate.

“Many of our seminarians see him as a direct influence in their responding to the call,” the rector said. “The legacy of his pontificate, in his life and ministry, will continue to fill young men with the courage needed to respond to God’s call to a priestly vocation.”

Rev. Mr. Robert Yetman, a transitional deacon, will be among the first class ordained under a new pope in May.

“It’s definitely a time marked by a sadness, since he was the only Holy Father in [my] lifetime,” Deacon Yetman said. “He’s had such an influence on … vocations and on the world.”

Father Prior, along with Father Joseph L. Maloney, dean of men for the Seminary’s college division, and about 20 seminarians were heading back to the Seminary from the National Catholic Educational Association convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the afternoon Friday, April 1, when they heard news reports that the Pope was close to death. They quickly organized, and held a holy hour for the Pope the same day at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

Members of the Seminary community who had been on Easter break came from their homes to participate in Masses for the Pope at the Cathedral that evening and in the next two days.

On Monday, April 4, Father Prior served as principal celebrant at a Mass for the Holy Father at the Seminary.

The Seminary community will view the Pontiff’s televised funeral Mass on campus — it is scheduled for 4 a.m. Friday, April 8 — and will that same day participate in the Archdiocese’s 12:05 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral for the repose of the soul of the Pope, Father Prior said.

CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine can be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org